Pelicans owner Gayle Benson recently addressed the rumors indicating the team could move to Seattle or another interested market.

Benson had a simply message: She's not selling.

"There is no way that I am going to sell that team - ever," Benson announced during a press luncheon Monday, via Nola.com.

"I value the Pelicans as much as I do the Saints, and I don't look at myself as an owner of the teams. I feel like it is an asset that I am protecting for the city."

Benson inherited ownership of the Saints and Pelicans when her husband, Tom, died in March 2018.

Day-to-day operations of the franchises are currently handled by Pelicans team president Dennis Lauscha and Mickey Loomis, the executive vice president and general manager of the Saints.

But, Benson plans to establish a succession for both teams day-to-day operations, which she has not yet revealed. As for Benson, herself, she is "not going anywhere."

"The owners of both leagues needed to know what we were going to do," Benson said. "[NFL and NBA officials] have been involved, and they know what it is. It's all under lock and key and it's going to be great. ...

"People are going to talk and there's really nothing you can do about that. Time will take care of it. They'll see that I'm sincere."